4. Angie Rose - Fight Like A Man // Sent by CharlieBibi
TSC 369 - 2nd place, 119 points (12 points given)
To echo what Steve said, I would let Angie Rose punch me in the face.
Fight Like A Man is one of songs of 2019 that goes off the HARDEST. This song isn't about the lyrical content.
"Sun shine in the desert, I ain't talking about the weather". Is she talking about her vagina?
Nor is it about vocal (though Angie still brings it).
This song is all about THE ENERGY it brings. I wish I brought the kind of energy to anything I do as Angie brings to this song. The energy is hot, explosive, and culminates in greatness during the final minute. I'm a sucker for a drop, and Angie brings a DROP and then some. Had this come out sooner, it probably would have become my Fuego of the year. Perfection.
3. PVRIS - Death of Me // Sent by Fritzyyyyy
TSC 361 - 3rd place, 110 points (12 points given)
For the first time since I've begun posting my annual rankings, Steve doesn't have the winning song. This is the death of him.
If I'm required to point out any musical highlight of 2019, it's the realization that PVRIS are a band I'm clearly very much into. I've always liked their sound, but it wasn't until Death of Me when I started paying serious attention to them. When I look at the YouTube comments, it appears that PVRIS are evolving as a band according to their fans, and it's an evolution that I love to see. Death of Me is edgy, avant-garde, but also super accessible. The chorus is banging, and the production is on point. Every part of this song appeals to me. I heavily considered having this song win my ranking, but the two songs above it are entries that had a much greater personal impact on me during the year.
2. MARUV - Siren Song // Sent by CharlieBibi
TSC 346 - 1st place, 136 points (12 points given)
"Imagine how tired we are" - PrincessTeePee, probably
The moment MARUV won Vidbir 2019, and I realized that she'd be going to Eurovision (or so I thought) will forever be etched in my mind. Despite the ongoing geopolitical conflict regarding Crimea that shrouded Maruv's participation in controversy and scandal, she won the national final following a series of uncomfortable questions that had fans convinced she wouldn't win. To have her win stripped away by default was heartbreaking, but I respected Maruv for not signing what was essentially a slave contract to the Ukrainian broadcaster. To echo what she pointed out in her follow-up statement, she is an artist, not a political tool.
Siren Song will always be remembered considering the circumstances surrounding its victory and subsequent withdrawal, but also because it's a bloody fantastic song with an extremely memorable performance. Thinking about the leg shotgun gives me as much goosebumps as the actual beat drop does. Siren Song is so well executed. The verses are quite lethargic, and the drop is bold and in your face. The contrast works spectacularly. I couldn't imagine not including it in my top five given all the reasons stated above. Everything about it is a highlight of 2019.
1. HYO & 3LAU - Punk Right Now // Sent by Insanity
TSC 349 - 9th place, 71 points (12 points given)
This ranking has officially become so PUNK RIGHT NOW. I waffled about my #1 for some time, but in the end I knew I couldn't reward the top spot to anything but Punk Right Now. My top twelve, really, is filled by songs with massive drops, but none of them go off as hard as Punk Right Now does. 3LAU solidifies his status as a top-tier DJ, and HYO goes down as the single artist that converted me to becoming a Kpop stan. Thanks for making my year.
